Sorry for the long wait again, hopefully once you read this chapter it would have been worth the wait ;) Please review i'm dying to know your thoughts! Thanks xx
CHAPTER 13
As I stood in the Clearwater's bathroom, I took in my new reflection. Instead of my boy shirt and boxers I was now wearing a pair of girls cut off denim shorts and a loose fitting white singlet, both of which were borrowed from Leah. I had finally got to meet her when the rest of us had sat down for breakfast, she had waltzed in pausing when she had noticed the extra member at the breakfast table.
"Ah, good morning dear. Allira, This is Leah." Sue introduced.
I smiled nervously at her and half heartedly raised my hand in greeting. With a deadpan expression Leah gave me the up and down, before moving her attention to her breakfast. Not a morning person then, I thought to myself.
"Leah honey, I thought it might be a nice idea if you leant Allira's some of your clothes since she has none," Sue mentioned, not looking up from the paper she was reading. Leah paused what she was doing, glaring at her breakfast. "Reckon you could find her something after breakfast?"
"Sure." Leah replied rather curtly before digging into her breakfast, not looking up once.
After breakfast, true to her word, Leah disappeared upstairs for a moment and no sooner reappeared with the shorts and singlet. She shoved them into my hands without a word before heading off out the back door. I managed a stuttered "T-t-thank you." before looking at Seth worriedly.
"Don't worry, she's like that with everyone." He shrugged before showing me where the bathroom was, which brings us to now.
I couldn't stop looking at my reflection, I hadn't look this normal in weeks. I was clean, wearing clothes that fit me, my long hair brushed and under control, I looked healthy, my wounds nothing more then a faded pink skin memory.
"Everything alright in there Allira?" Seth knocked gently at the door.
Oh god how long have I been staring like this for? I actually didn't know.
"Ah, yeah," I said opening the door awkwardly to Seth. "Sorry, I just, haven't looked like a normal person in awhile." I said motioning at myself.
Seth's eyes travelled up and down me, sending waves of warmth around my body. His eyes finally rested on mine and he smiled "You look amazing." He said almost breathlessly.
My cheeks burned and I looked at the floor bashfully smiling, an "Oh." was all I could manage in reply. Holy hell this boy had an effect me.
"You guys ready to go? I'll drop you now." Sue suddenly yelled from the kitchen interrupting whatever was going on here.
"Yeah coming!" Seth yelled back in reply. He placed a hand on my back and started to steer me towards the front of the house, his touch sending a hot shiver up my spin. "Mum's going to drive us to Billy's." He explained.
"Oh I can walk there if thats easier?" I mentioned, after all thats how I got here.
"I don't care what you say, until I hear the all clear from Anne herself, you're still taking it easy." Seth stated firmly.
"Really I-" I tried.
"From Anne herself." Seth repeated with a smile opening the front door for me. I shrugged and followed him to the car.
The car trip was short, as I had guessed and quiet for that matter. Sue had again tried to ask questions about myself like at breakfast but Seth had interrupted her once again saying I was going to get hounded enough by the pack today so she should give me a break. My heart had swelled at the gesture, he knew I didn't feel comfortable talking about that stuff and was helping me out. I smiled at him gratefully which he returned.
Sue dropped us off at Billy's with a kind smile and "Good luck." but didn't come in as she had to go to work. It reminded me that there was still an oblivious world out there, working and living there normal lives with no idea that things like me existed, how crazy that seemed, even crazier still was that I use to be a part of that world.
I was brought out of my thoughts by the crunching of gravel as Sue pulled away down the long dirt driveway, as I looked back at the little red house I had become so familiar with it suddenly dawned on me. I was about to meet the pack. The whole pack.
Nervousness hit me like a freight train, Seth's words from earlier repeating in my head now making me feel worse…. 'hounded by the pack'. I began to take deep breathes as I stood rooted to the ground, Seth noticed my change in state and turned to stand in front of me, holding the sides of my arms.
"Allira are you okay?" He asked with a frown searching my face.
All their attention was going to be on me, they'd ask me questions, about my life, about how I got here, why I'm here… oh my god. What if they don't like me?!
"Allira? Hey? speak to me." He tried again trying to make eye contact with me.
"I don't know… I… I don't know if I can do this…. meet the pack." I breathed swaying slightly, I felt queasy.
"Hey now don't be nervous," Seth soothed his concern dropping. "They're going to love you I know it, hey, they're just like me, hell they're just like you. Theres nothing to be scared of." Seth reassured, rubbing my arms soothingly. His touch made my skin ripple with goosebumps and I shivered, my breathing slowly returning to normal as I looked back into his eyes, a crooked smile planted on his face. "We don't have to talk about anything you don't want to, and remember all those questions you have about the whole werewolf thing? you can find it all out now. It's going to be fine I promise, I'm right here, I wont leave your side, okay?" He finished moving one of his hands to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. There was that warmth again, that spark slowly growing as we held eye contact. I was shallow breathing for a completely different reason now.
"Okay." I breathed again and he smiled.
"Okay, lets go then hey?" He said as he moved to my side.
Without thinking I grabbed hold of his hand. From the corner of my eye I saw him smile before intertwining our fingers so our hands held more securely. I blushed as he moved us forward towards the house all previous nervousness forgotten. I was trying hard to suppress the smile on my face induced from holding his hand. The simply action made me feel so happy, so lucky, so, drunk was an accurate way to describe it. What was wrong with me? Eh whatever I'm just going to go with it.
Before I knew it Seth had knocked on the front door before proceeding to enter anyway. Oh there's my nerves.
"Hello?" Seth called out.
I could hear talking and laughter coming from the lounge room as we walked down the corridor, passing the hole in the wall.
"Shit, I gotta fix that." Seth said more to himself. I looked at him questioningly.
"You did that?" I asked. He nodded awkwardly shrugging.
As we neared the lounge room entrance I held onto Seth's arm with my other hand and moved so I hid behind him slightly.
"Don't worry." He whispered as we entered the room of people, all of whom went silent and blatantly stared at me.
Besides Billy it was impossible to miss the three shirtless hulking figures standing in the room with their russet skinned bodies and rippling muscles, all looking very similar to Seth I noticed. The only differences I could find between them was in there height and faces, for even their hair was all cut short. One was baby faced, the shortest of the three but still taller than me, a tall somewhat lanky one and finally a seemingly more ripped one out of the two who's eyebrow was slowly arching. I could tell any girl would find them more then attractive, yet they were doing nothing for me. huh...
"Fuck. off." The musclier one of the three suddenly blurted.
"Paul!" Billy reprimand.
I noticed all three of them give me the up and down and I shifted uncomfortably under their gaze. Seth seemed to notice and growled lowly getting their attention.
"Sorry about them." Seth huffed to me. "Anyway, this is... PAUL!" he suddenly shouted glaring at Paul who was still looking at me. "Dude?"
"Huh, what?...whaaat?" Paul asked innocently, shrugging and looking at all of them. Seth shook his head, clenching his teeth.
"Hi I'm Quil Ateara." The shortest of the three said coming forward to shake my hand. I could still see Seth and Paul eyeing each other.
"Allira Corralez." I replied absently trying to see what was happening with Seth.
"We know." The tallest one said blocking my view. "I'm Embry Call." He said shaking my hand also. The similar warmth of their hands was taking some getting use to but I smiled back politely.
"Paul Lahote." Paul said shortly to me from where he was before shrugging at Seth and giving him a 'Are you happy?' look. "Lucky brat..." he muttered quietly under his breath before going to sit on one of the couches. I frowned in confusion, what did Paul mean by that? I looked at Quil and Embry but they just shrugged and rolled their eyes before talking amongst themselves.
"Morning Billy." Seth said nodding at Billy.
"Seth, Allira." Billy nodded back in greeting. With a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach I suddenly remembered last night and how I had basically bailed on him without a word. Guilt bloomed in my gut.
"Hey, do you mind if I talk to Billy alone for a sec." I whispered to Seth.
"Oh yeah, no worries." He replied, understanding why straight away. Although I didn't want to, I let go of Seth's hand and walked over to Billy, Seth moving to go talk with the boys.
"Hey Billy," I said as I stopped in front of him, swallowing hard. "I just wanted to apologise for disappearing on you last night. I don't know what I was thinking but it was rude and ungrateful, especially after everything you've done for me. I'm sorry if I worried you or stressed you out. I should have let you know and it wont happen again." I finished looking at the floor. Just at that moment I caught a part of the boys conversation, my ears pricking with the mention of my name.
"But if Allira wasn't here where was she?" Embry questioned confused.
"With you? doing what hey?" Paul asked suggestively.
"Shut up you guys." Seth signed.
"Whatever, will soon find out what went down…" Paul added cheekily tapping his temple. "Speaking of 'things that went down' where's our damn apology for yesterday pup?"
All of this was said in the seconds Billy took to pause and finally answer me. "Thank you for the apology Allira." Billy finally spoke, a small smile appearing on his face. "All I ask is to know when you are going somewhere so I know nothing has happened to you, especially when you're are still meant to be recovering." I nodded at his words shamefully. "But please know it is no trouble at all having you here, in fact I am enjoying having company in the house once again." I looked up at these words and smiled, touched by his words.
"Thank you Billy." I said touching his hand.
Without meaning to my ears once again zeroed in onto the boys conversation.
"Oh I'll forgive you Seth." Paul said coming to stand in front of Seth. There was a brief pause where Seth looked confusedly at Paul, before all of a sudden Paul bent his arm and brought it forward connecting his fist with Seth's stomach. Seth hunched over with a winded groan clutching his stomach. "Now that we're even you little shit!" Paul smirked.
What happened next seemed a blur.
Suddenly there was a ripping snarl and loud thud as Paul was pushed heavily up into the wall by his throat, the contact with his head leaving a dent in the dry wall. Surprised, I looked at the arm that held a stunned looking Paul.
It was mine. I had moved across the room and was pressing Paul into the wall.
My heart sank to the pit of my stomach.
As I stared up at Paul I now noticed the familiar charge in my body as my pulse hammered in my ears, the fast blood flow under my skin radiating with intense heat.
Almost instantly my snarling lips dropped at my realisation and my shaking grip on Paul weakened before I slowly let him go and he slide down the wall to a stiff stand. Shock replaced what must have been an aggressive face as I slowly backed away breathing heavily, everyone staring silently at me.
What had just happened? more importantly, why had that happened?
"I'm, I'm sorry Paul... I-I-I... don't know... what?..." I swiftly turned on my heel and ran to 'my' room, slamming the door behind me. Dazed I stood by the window staring out of it but not actually seeing anything as trembles racked through my body. I clenched my jaw and hands trying to control my shaking as I felt the threat of transformation waver inside me. Behind me I barely noticed the door behind me open and close. I didn't have to look or smell to know that it was Seth.
"What's wrong with me?" I whispered thickly, my eyes filling with tears.
"Nothing." Seth replied.
I frowned whipping around to face him. "You call that nothing?!" I spat, pointing outside the room, my body shaking dangerously. "I attacked your friend, for what? What's going on Seth?! WHATS WRONG WITH ME?!"
He just stared at me, seemingly lost for words.
"Come on Seth I know it has something to do with you." I said defiantly, but still he said nothing. "Its always when your around, I'm not myself." I said slowly walking towards him. "Why? What's so special about you? I don't even know you!" I shouted my eyes stinging with the threat of more tears.
"I-I... please don't cry." He begged looking sad, taking a step towards me.
I growled in frustration before marching to stand right in front of him. I know he knew and he was going to tell me one way or another. As if on cue our close proximity set off that all too familiar flush of warmth in my body, my loud thumping heart beat slowing to a flutter in my gut and my shakes ceasing all together.
Now that I looked for it I noticed Seth's breathing had become more forced also, so tentatively I reached out and placed my hand on his neck just above his left collar bone. We stared at each other as I felt his blazing warmth and flurrying heart beat confirm my thoughts.
"You feel it too." I stated, "So tell me what it is."
His eyes shot down for a second before refocusing on my face. He still said nothing.
I moved even closer searching his face, my stomach whirling with hot butterflies. "What is this?" I questioned again in a whisper, my eyes still watery "Please?".
Seth swallowed hard, his eyes flickering to my lips. Were we slowly drifting closer?
I shuddered as I felt one of his hands grip my waist, the other sliding around my neck pulling me closer. His breathe gently tickled my lips, letting me almost taste him and causing me to sigh. I felt like I was in a state of shock as I stood there completely still, my body and mind too overwhelmed at what was happening to react. But oh my god how right it felt, I doubt I'd even want him to stop even if I could move.
The heat was increasing everywhere and as he lent his forehead against mine, cupping my face with one of his big hands it felt as if my heart may burst. I had to react, he wasn't moving fast enough. So without thinking my hands glided up the contours of his chest before snaking behind his neck, urging his face closer to mine. Though surprised he didn't object, eagerly dipping his face toward mine and finally capturing my lips. His lips were sweet and gentle just like I had imagined, delicately brushing against mine and sucking softly, but heat and need were quickly taking over. The kissing was becoming more and more desperate and demanding as tongues slipped in and hands began to roam. My hands tugged on his hair pulling him ever closer while his were under my shirt massaging and gripping my fiery skin. Abruptly something hard hit me in the back and I heard several objects hit the floor, at a quick glance I realised it was the dresser. Without breaking contact I wrapped both legs around his hips climbing onto him, he quickly moved to support me and like reading my mind he placed me on top of the dresser so we were the same height. His lips then moved to my neck gently sucking and biting till an unknown moan escaped my lips and I arched against him, my nails unknowingly digging into his back…
Suddenly with a bang the door flew open and there standing in the doorway along with a gaping Quil and Embry was a man not much unlike them, though you could tell by his facial features he was a bit older. There was something familiar about his hansom high cheek boned face but I couldn't put my finger on it. He seemed to hold a note of superiority the others lacked, with his serious expression and seemingly deepening frown. He sighed disapprovingly, looking at both of us before turning away, leaving the door open. When Quil and Embry failed to follow, he came back pulling them after him.
We both stayed silent, breathing heavily as we stared out the doorway, absorbing what had just happened.
"Who was that?" I asked quietly.
"Sam."
"Oh…" I sighed pausing. "Wait! The Sam?" I questioned turning to look at Seth seriously. Much to my embarrassment I realised my legs and arms were still wrapped quite tightly around him, but hey his hands were still under my shirt so it wasn't just me. He seemed to realise this too and we quickly untangled ourselves from each other. He looked away with folded arms blushing while I hastily hopped down from the dresser, beet red.
Wow... that escalated really quickly... like... wow.
I cleared my throat to break the awkward silence, "So wait, that was Sam as in 'the leader'?" I questioned again fixing my clothes and patting down my hair.
"Yep." Seth replied calmly, popping the p.
"Oh, awesome." I stated sarcastically. "Can I meet anyone here in a non awkward situation?"
Seth continued to look at the floor as he put his hands in his pocket. "I'm sorry about…. I didn't mean for that to happen."
"It wasn't your fault." I started with an awkward smile, Seth frowned. "It was as much me-"
"It's cause we imprinted." Seth suddenly blurted, startling me. I felt the whole house go silent.
"What?" I asked confused. There was that word again, 'imprinted.' Can someone please tell me what it means already?
Seth sighed a shaky breathe before looking up at the ceiling and running a hand through his tousled hair. "We, imprinted on each other." He said finally looking at me.
I frowned in confusion. "What's 'imprinted'?"
He suddenly marched up to me and stood super close once again. "It's what 'this' is." He sighed with a shaky voice and like clockwork his mere presence made my whole body react. I swallowed hard looking at his lips unable to help myself. Seth noticed and moved back to a safer distance. As his effects wore off on me I frowned once again, trying wrap my head around what he meant.
"It's a werewolf thing." Seth stated. "When we first see our soulmate we imprint and they become our sole purpose in life, whatever they need, a protector, friend, brother, lover… They say it has something to do with passing on the gene, it's also meant to be a rare occurrence, never mind two werewolves on each other but…"He trailed off with a shrug.
I just continued to stare at him with frown and my jaw hanging open. What. the. fuck.
"I know its a lot to take in, so, when you're ready ask me whatever you want to know."Seth said awkwardly taking a seat on the bed.
I shook myself slightly. "So, okay, let me get this straight. You and I are soulmate's, so we imprinted on each other and so now we just know that we're destined to be together forever, just like that?" I questioned disbelievingly.
"Yeah. Pretty much." Seth said quietly.
I let out a forced laugh. "You're not joking are you?"
"No." Seth replied seriously.
"Huh." I walked over and sunk onto the bed also, overwhelmed. "Shit." I breathed.
"Yeah." Seth agreed from beside me.
"I guess it makes a lot of sense of things now… like why you were always around… why I react the way I do around you…." I mused more to myself. "So wait, you've known this whole time? Why didn't you tell me before?" I realised with a frown as everything slowly processed in my mind.
"Oh yeah, 'hey I know you just woke up and don't know where you are and just met me but we're soulmate's' yeah I'm sure that would have gone down a treat." Seth said jokingly. "I wanted us to get to know each other a bit first you know, see if it, came, naturally…" He added looking at the floor again.
"I guess you're right there." I gave a small smile at his sweet words. "So, this thing, it wont ever go away? like we wont just wake up one day and feel differently?" I questioned.
Seth looked a little hurt by my words. "As far as we know, no, we're stuck with each other for life."
I frowned a little at his choice of words but continued with my questions, "And when you said before that, we're whatever the other wants, what if one of us wanted to date another person, what happens then?"
I saw Seth's jaw clench as he continued to stare straight ahead. "Although it would cause the other great pain they would support it to make them happy, but from what i've seen imprinting is unavoidable, they're drawn to each other." He finished turning to finally look at me.
"So really we have no choice-" I started but Seth interrupted.
"Look I wasn't happy finding out about this either okay," Seth finally growled through clenched teeth.
"Wow, I didn't mean it personally Seth, I was just wondering." I shot back angrily. "I'm sorry i'm not your perfect choice, you're not mine either you know." I added acidly, hurt by his words. I felt my chest tighten.
"Oh really? Thanks. At least Im actually making an effort here, opening up, unlike you!" he argued back his voice raising. Ouch.
"Oh im so sorry you're forced to get to know me." I growled back moving to a stand. "You didn't seem to mind 2 minutes ago when you had your tongue down my throat you jerk!"
"Woah woah, what's going on in here?" Suddenly Sam was in the room standing between us, heads could also be seen peering around the door frame.
"If im such a jerk then you better go date someone else then! See if I care!" Seth continued anyway, standing up and storming his way out towards the door. His words made my heart burn painfully.
"Guys stop this, Seth," Sam tried.
"Maybe I will!" I yelled after Seth as my body began to tremble with hurt and anger. "Your friend Paul is pretty hot." As soon as the words left my lips I knew they shouldn't have. That was a low blow. My whole insides twisted painfully.
Seth froze by the door shaking. He turned slowly only looking at my feet. "I wish I never imprinted." He muttered lowly.
I took a sharp intake of breathe as what felt like a knife stabbed through my chest. "GET OUT! I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!" I screamed my voice breaking.
Seth glanced up at me before leaving the room. I heard his angry footsteps throughout the house before the front door banged loudly signalling his exit.
It was like someone had winded me, I couldn't breathe or feel anything except my heart drop to the bottom of my guts. My legs gave out and sunk to the floor, my knees not hitting the ground as hard as they should as Sam ran to grab me. As he easily lifted me onto the bed, my face pressed against his naked chest something in my throat burst and I let out an almighty sob, after that it was all down hill as tears streamed down my face. Sam froze as I began to cry into his chest not sure of what to do, I didn't blame him I hadn't even officially met the guy. He relaxed soon however and embraced me stroking my hair.
What a stupid fight. I didn't mean any of those things I said. I had no interest in Paul whatsoever. Seth's words had struck a nerve so I had lashed out, and now I felt like my life was over. Seth had said he wished he had never imprinted on me. Two seconds ago I didn't even know what the word 'imprint' meant but now those words echoed in my head and made me feel so sick to my stomach. All I wanted to do was roll into a ball somewhere dark and stay there forever.
"It's gonna be alright." Sam soothed.
I sniffed. "He's making me feel like this and I don't even know him. This whole thing is fucked up…" I sobbed still into his chest.
"The last couple of days have been hectic for you both, you especially. I'm sure the two of you just needed to let out some emotions and once everyones calmed down it'll be fine." He spoke, pulling me from his chest to look at him. "Do you want me to get you anything? water? tissues?"
I finally looked up into his face and wow, he looked so familiar. I swear I had seen him before. Sam, Sam, Sam. The name rang no bells but I definitely recognised him from somewhere. "Um, I think I might just lay down here for a bit if thats okay." I replied quietly looking at my lap again.
"No worries, I'll leave you then." Sam replied kindly, getting up.
"Ah Sam," he stopped and turned around. "I'm sorry… for this… for how I met you." I looked down shamefully.
"Thats alright kiddo, these sort of thing happens a lot around here, a lot of imprinting you see, so don't worry." I looked up to see him give me a small smile.
"Thank you, and for what its worth, its nice to meet you. I'm Allira Corralez." I introduced lamely.
Sam smiled. "Sam Uley, and you too Allira, finally. Anyway, we'll be outside if you need anything." and with that he turned and left, closing the door behind him.
My face dropped. Uley. No way.
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